Foxhole v Camelford/Porthleven

[Darin Morse]

Foxhole 1 Camelford 4

Wednesday 5th May 2010

How ironic that Foxhole should lose this game by the same score that they were leading by when the original match was controversially aborted in the autumn. It was doubly harsh on the Foxes who created far more chances but were again let down by defensive lapses and poor finishing. By contrast, of the only five chances they converted, the Camels converted four of them, all from right-wing crosses, while the visitors' hard-working ethos ensured there was invariably sufficient cover even after last-man Haynes' fifty-sixth minute dismissal for hauling down Griffin.

Griffin had been quickly into the action. After four minutes, he raced on to Ansell's pass only to miscue his lob, before being booked three minutes later for fouling Palin. Foxhole looked the more likely to score until they failed to deal with Palin's centre on twenty minutes, allowing Murt to finish from twelve yards and, almost immediately, Palin's corner was volleyed high into the net by the unmarked Impleton for the second. To their credit, the home team responded well, but too often aimed high balls in the general direction of Rowe and Griffin to the obvious relish of Balsdon. On 36, Pinhammer's centre was converted at close range by Ansell, who then saw a dipper well saved by Colwill.

Once Impleton fired over from Boxhall's pass, Foxhole dominated the second half without scoring, while conceding twice against the run of play. Shortly after Kenny's weak attempt from Kempthorne's assist had bobbled wide, the Camels took full advantage of a dubious corner award to bag a decisive third on 54 minutes, Boxhall heading home Looker's cross. Hazeldine, Carpenter and Pinhammer were all cautioned for dissent by the fussy referee, who then somehow failed to spot Young's clear handball which prevented Griffin a run on goal. Ansell volleyed over, Rowe's fierce shot was well fielded and Kempthorne went close from eight yards during a period of concerted Foxhole pressure which also saw Looker booked for pulling Ansell, but the visitors stood firm, notching a fourth deep in stoppage time when Pooley's corner was headed by Holland by the unmarked Boxhall to give the scoreline a surreal look.

Foxhole (3-5-2): Ryan Holland; Adam Holland, Nick Carpenter, Richard Faircloth; Ross Pinhammer, Sam Kenny, Lee Hazeldine (sub. Jordan Dingle), Scott Ansell, Michael Kempthorne; Mark Rowe, Richard Griffin.

Camelford (4-4-2): Josh Colwill; Alex Young, Dan Metherell (sub. Dave Cann), Martyn Haynes, Dan Balsdon; Cameron Palin (sub. Steve Latham), Andy Boxhall, Kevin Murt, Lewis Impleton; Shane Looker, Martyn Hake (sub. Ryan Pooley).

Referee: Mr Malcolm West (Foxhole).

Porthleven 2 Foxhole 1

Saturday 8th May 2010

Despite a fine battling performance, Foxhole completed their season with yet another defeat, but at least managed to avoid the massacre which Porthleven's early dominance threatened. Prompted by Thompson's clever touches and surging runs, the pacy home forwards were presented with a host of chances from the off. Impressive play between Timmins and Dan Stidwell created an opening for Fox which brought out the best in Ryan Holland, while the slender Thomas headed Thompson's cross tamely wide at the far post before Fox pulled an effort wide and Stidwell saw another effort saved by the keeper's legs. Defensively, the Foxes were all over the shop, but a change to 4-4-2 could only delay the inevitable until the twenty-second minute when Thompson scored at the second attempt. Timmins came close to doubling the lead almost immediately but Foxhole were to equalise on 27 with their first meaningful attack when Nicholls, looking suspiciously offside, did well to release Pinhammer who finished with aplomb. Griffin's shot which flew wide was further evidence that the visitors had at last settled, but were nevertheless relieved to see Stidwell's header from Ainscough's free-kick fly over the bar moments before the break.

Foxhole's best spell came after the restart with the home defenders struggling to cope with Griffin, whose poor cross after being found by Ansell's searching ball did Nicholls no favours, while both Bird and Griffin tried their luck from distance without unduly stretching Grey. Perhaps their best opportunity came on the hour when Nicholls nodded over Dingle's centre, a miss that took on even greater significance four minutes later when Thomas raced from halfway to beat Holland. Rowe, by now part of a three-man attack which also included Mackellar, was booked for a foul on Timmins, but, other than Pinhammer's drive from the edge of the box which was safely gathered, a second equaliser did not appear likely despite their palpable best efforts.

Foxhole (3-5-2): Ryan Holland; Adam Holland, Nick Carpenter, Richard Faircloth; Ross Pinhammer, Mark Rowe, CJ Bird, Scott Ansell, Michael Kempthorne (sub. Jordan Dingle); Liam Nicholls (sub. Tony Mackellar), Richard Griffin.

Porthleven (4-3-3): Jamie Grey; Ed Timmins, Chris Strike, Sam Buckler, Ashley Stidwell; Jamie Thompson, Paul Ainscough, Justin Searle (sub. Ben Medlin); Dan Stidwell, Alan Thomas, Matt Fox (sub. Jowan Shaneberge).

Referee: Mr Paul Windle (Penzance).

[dave bunt]

Last Saturday was Billy Davies and Graham Nicholls last game in charge of Foxhole, a big thankyou from everyone involved with Foxhole Stars.